Use Natural Remedies to Heal Your Bruises

Herbs can be used for many ailments. When used in addition to conventional medicine, herbs can speed the healing process. Here are some suggestions for herbal remedies for those times when you have bruises and would like to help them heal quickly.

Aloe Vera has many healing properties. Fresh juice from the fleshy leaves of the plant can be applied to minor skin irritations and wounds to help healing. This application will also help prevent infection. Dried Aloe juice combined with water makes a soothing wash for wounds. Do not take this herb internally if you are nursing or pregnant.

Another herb that can be used for soothing bruises is Cabbage. Take the large out leaves of white cabbage. Break the ridges of these leaves and dip them into very hot water. Apply these leaves to facial bruises. Cabbage is also good for drawing pus out of wounds.

Calendula made into a salve is helpful for bruises, sprains, pulled muscles, sores and boils. To make a salve, boil one ounce of dried flowers or leaves or ¼ teaspoon of fresh juice from the herb with one ounce of lard. When this mixture has cooled, apply to affected area. Do not take this herb internally if you are pregnant.

A poultice of crushed Fenugreek seeds is good for help in healing gout, wounds, sores, bruises, and skin irritations. To make a poultice put about half an ounce of the crushed seeds in a small cloth bag. Boil this in water for a few minutes. Apply the herbed water to the affected area as hot as you can stand it. Do not take this herb internally if you are pregnant. It can also slow the absorption of oral drugs so be sure to check with your doctor before using.

Garden Thyme added to a warm bath will help with bruises, swellings and sprains. Add a strong decoction to your bath water. To make a decoction put green plant parts in water and boil for three to four minutes. Make sure they are boiling for at least three minutes. Then, leave the mixture in a covered pot for another two to three minutes. If the plants are very hard, boil for ten minutes. Strain out the plant before using. Do not take this herb internally if you are pregnant.

Onions have great drawing power. You can apply these raw or roasted to bruises to help them heal. You can also use the juice and apply directly to the bruise.

An oil extract of St. John's Wort will help with burns, wounds, sores, bruises and other skin ailments. But ten to fifteen drops of the oil into water and applied to the affected area. Do not take this herb internally if you are pregnant. It also enhances light sensitivity, so do not take internally if you are in the sun for long periods of time.

A poultice of apple cider vinegar can be applied directly to bruises, sprains, or swellings. This mixture can be used hot or cold. Do not get this near your eyes.

Hopefully, these natural curatives will help you heal naturally. Even though herbs are natural, they are still made up of chemical compounds. This means they will interact with any prescription medications you may be taking. While the suggested used for these herbs is external in the article, it is still possible to have a reaction. Always check with your doctor before taking any supplements, especially if you are already taking prescription medications.

SOURCES

Brinker, Francis, N.D. "Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions". 1997. Eclectic Institute, Inc. Oregon.

Buchman, Dian Dincin. "Herbal Medicine: The Natural Way to Get Well and Stay Well". 1979. Random House. New York.

Lust, John. "The Herb Book". 1974. Bantam Books. New York.